Some DIY jobs are more rewarding than others. It’s those where you can really see that you’ve accomplished something. Some jobs are more the type that you need to do them because it’s necessary. This was one of those.
Before I moved in I had my then contractors switch out the rotting balcony floor to larch wood. Already then I knew that I needed to protect the wood underneath from rain since there’s no overhang and the rain can seep in and potentially rot that front beam.
It took a year and three months to get to it with pangs of conscience last winter. Lucky for me a have a friend and neighbor who switched out her balcony floor this summer. So we joined forces to ordered metal sheeting and and pooled our tools.
It was actually quite simple. It was basically a matter of measuring, using a straight edge and a marker…
… and then using metal scissors to cut the pieces to size.
And then a little bit of bending action to straighten out the wobbly edges after cutting.
Measure once cut twice is not recommended but is what I did here. I didn’t leave enough room to maneuver the sheeting in place. After a second attempt, new measurement and a new cut and lifting the plank furthest out up by unscrewing it things slot into place. After that I could put the plank back and using the same screws screwed right through the metal and attaching it while at the same time reattaching the plank.
You can’t really tell well from this shot because the sun was out but the metal is that second white strip away from my feet.
The idea is that when it rains the water will be lead away from the beam instead of onto it. Like I said not the most rewarding DIY job in terms of a nice cool addition to look at but a good one for peace of mind. Let it rain!
Very neat. Good solution. So there was rain protection before? Is the support beam still the same as it was before the redoing of the balcony floor?
Posted by: Leena | September 05, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Peace of mind is worth a lot!
Posted by: Hxx | September 05, 2012 at 09:21 AM
Peace of mind indeed, and it even looks cool! Funny, we've just been dealing with this metal sheeting too. Installed some pretty double doors at the front of the house and were AMAZED at how little the wood underneath had been protected all these years.
Posted by: Judith | September 05, 2012 at 09:45 AM
This is exactly what we need to do for our balcony! Very useful advice - would you be so kind to let me know the word for sheet metal in Swedish? Also, where can you order it from? Thanks!
Posted by: Gakku | September 05, 2012 at 10:22 AM
The front plank was cut around the uprights so there was a bit of overhang. My contractors just laid the new planks against the uprights. I wasn't there that day...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 05, 2012 at 12:48 PM
This particular type is called a "fotplåt" and it's from Lindab. http://www.bygghemma.se/utomhus/tak/takavvattning/platlister-och-beslag/fotplat-lindab-fotp-40-x-2000-mm/p-196911
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 05, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Peace of mind is right. That job not being done is the kind of thing I would stress over every time it rained. So now you can relax :-)
Posted by: Dana from CT | September 05, 2012 at 01:02 PM
Many thanks!
Posted by: Gakku | September 05, 2012 at 07:29 PM
A textbook drip edge! See how the winter goes, but you may want to caulk between the boards and the metal so that water doesn't seep back underneath
Posted by: Michelle of Montreal | September 05, 2012 at 09:59 PM
When you close your awning will it all be away from where the water drips? This kind of DIY makes me so proud of myself. I have done something to protect my home! I used cement in a tube to caulk around my foundation and you would have thought I'd just built the house!
Posted by: Missy | September 05, 2012 at 11:27 PM
It will!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 06, 2012 at 12:43 PM